Do you like it when you are chosen? Doesn’t it feel good to be wanted? Do you consider yourself to be holy? Do you feel as though you are loved? What makes you feel loved? Do you share your love in the same way?
Most of us like it when we are chosen to be on a team. No one wants to be the last one chosen. Yet, even if we are the last one chosen and our team wins, we win. It no longer matters we were chosen last.
Most of us don’t consider ourselves holy. After all, we know all our faults, even if we don’t like to admit them. We work at self-improvement. We yearn to be better. Our internal thoughts fight against us—and God.
Many of us feel loved in one way or another. We may receive an affectionate love from our spouses. We may experience a friendship love from our close friends. Being part of a team or organization may provide us with a brotherly or sisterly love, much as soldiers experience when in battle.
Paul tells the church in Colossae they are chosen by God, they are holy, and they are dearly loved by God. Because of this, he instructs them in their behavior. He tells them to take care of one another and to be mindful of one another. In effect, he is telling them to put other followers ahead of themselves.
Paul understands human nature. He knows we all will make mistakes along the way. He knows we will offend one another at some point. His instruction is to forgive in the same way God forgives each one of us. This is all to be done out of love for one another.
What is the purpose of love? It binds us all together. We are unified in love. Our unity is a demonstration of God’s holiness, love, and plan of salvation. Our unity shows the lost the wondrous works of God. It is an active demonstration and can be the genesis for the lost person to seek to be part of God’s kingdom, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
I pray we all realize we have been chosen by God. I pray we know we are loved by God. I pray each one of us chose to love and be unified to demonstrate God’s love for each of us. You are chosen. You are holy. You are dearly loved. Take on the virtues of God. Love one another. Be unified in Christ.
Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Marty Pressey 